[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2154-E2155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO JANE AND WILLIAM McQUAIN AND THE WORK OF THE DWELLING PLACE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember two of my 
constituents whose lives were recently tragically cut short. Ms. Jane 
McQuain, 51, and her son William, 11, were found murdered on October 
18, 2011, triggering shock and pain throughout my congressional 
district.
  Since 2006, Ms. McQuain and William had been receiving assistance 
from an outstanding organization, The Dwelling Place, whose mission is 
to provide housing opportunities and support services for homeless 
families in Montgomery County. The McQuains were one of many families 
helped by this program.
  Ms. McQuain was an extraordinary example of the success that can be 
achieved through hard work and dedication. In 2006, she came to The 
Dwelling Place as a homeless single mother, seeking a better life for 
herself and her son. Two years later, she graduated from the program 
with permanent housing and a steady job. Ms. McQuain immediately sought 
to give back to the community and devoted her time to helping families 
in crisis who were facing similar situations. She often returned to The 
Dwelling Place to share her experiences and to advise families on how 
to succeed during and after the program. Her son, William, had a bright 
future. His friends and family describe him as a vibrant and 
imaginative boy who loved sports, animals, and video games. Both Ms. 
McQuain and William were extraordinary individuals, who had 
successfully overcome great adversity.
  The Dwelling Place has been helping the homeless since 1988, when a 
group of activists, appalled at the rising levels of homelessness in 
Montgomery County, Maryland, came together to find a solution to this 
growing problem. The organization incorporates various aspects of 
affordability, length of stay, and life skills, striving to help 
homeless families achieve self-sufficiency. Families are assisted to 
develop the necessary skills they need for a brighter and more 
prosperous future. The Dwelling Place is not merely a place for 
families to live; it is a place for families to thrive. It provides 
families with critical training in parenting, communication literacy, 
and networking techniques. It also counsels individual families to work 
towards a strong, united, and independent family unit.

[[Page E2155]]

  Thanks to The Dwelling Place, Ms. McQuain was able to provide her son 
with a happy and stable life. Although their lives were brutally cut 
short, their resilience and ability to overcome hardship will never be 
forgotten, and they will continue to inspire the many families that 
face similar challenges.
  My congressional district is fortunate to have The Dwelling Place 
providing support to our community, so that families in crisis can 
establish new lives without fear and with the potential and support for 
a bright future.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Jane and William 
McQuain and in saluting the mission of The Dwelling Place and its 
dedication to assisting the homeless.

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